Cleaning apparatus



Aug. 29, 1944. w. c. BRUCKMAN CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 1 c INVENTOR F WM. CLERuCKMAN MZ'Z- ATTORNE WlTNESSES:

B s/i Aug. 1944- w. c; BISQUCKMAVN 2,356,818

CLEANING APPARATUS Filed 001:. 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:INVENTOR I x 7; WM. C. fikuckmmq 4 3% Patented Aug. 29, 1944 I CLEANINGAPPARATUS William C. Bruckman, Yellow Springs, Ohio, assignor toWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application October 2, 1942, Serial No.460,507

16 Claims.

My invention relates to cleaning apparatus and has for an object toprovide improved apparatus of this kind. v

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved machine forcleaning fabrics and subsequently extracting cleaning fluid from thefabrics wherein vibratory forces imparted to the support for the machineare maintained at a low value.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved stabilizingand vibration damping means for a resiliently-supported washing andspinning structure.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparentfrom the following description and claims taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through acleaning and centrifuging machine constructed and arranged in accordancewith my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines IIH of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a view of a detail looking in the direction of the arrowsIII-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and showing asecond embodiment of the invention; and V Fig. 5 is a sectional view ofa detail taken along the line V-V of Fig. 4.

Reference will now be had particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings,wherein I have shown my invention applied to a washing and spinningmachine constructed generally along the lines of the machine shown inthe copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No. 203,804,filed April 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee .of the presentapplication. This type of machine includes a tub structure l forcontaining a body of cleaning fluid and having a relatively small rearend wall II and a relatively large front end wall 12 connected by a Sidewall l3. The side wall I3 is generally circular in cross section anddiverges from the front and rear end walls l2 and II, respectively, fordefining an intermediate tub portion l 4 which is relatively large indiameter. An access opening 15 is provided in the front end wall l2,which opening I is closed by a suitable gasketed door l6.

A basket structure, generally indicated at IT, is disposed Within thetub structure I 0 and is rotatable about an axis inclined substantiallyfrom both the vertical and horizontal. In the embodiment which Ihaveshown, this axis is arranged approximately 30 degrees above thehorizontal. The basket ll includes a relatively large front wall l8 anda relatively small rear end wall -l9 connected by a side wall structure2|, generfor agitating the fabrics in the body of washing fluidcontained within the tub I for effecting a washing action, furtherreference to which is made hereinafter. The end wall I9. is providedwith a reentrant portion or dome 25 arranged centrally of the end walll9, and further reference to this dome 25 will be mad hereinafter. Anaccess opening 25 is provided in the front end wall I8 of the basket,which opening 20 registers with the access opening l5 of the tubstructure l0.

Rotation of the basket l0 about its axis at relatively low speed duringwashing periods and at relatively high speed during water-extractingpe-- riods is efiected by a shaft or driven element 21 of a two-speedmechanism generally indicated at 28. The latter is carried by the endwall I I in any well-understood manner and is driven by a sheave 29. Thesheave 29 is rotated at substantially constant speed by a motor 3|through a pulley 32 and belt 33. The motor is carried by a lower portionof the tub structure I!) by means of suitable brackets shown at 34 inFig. '1.

The two-speed mechanism 28 isadjustable so that the basket I! is rotatedat a relatively low speed of, for example, R. P. M. during washingperiods, and at a relatively high speed of, for example, 500 R. P. M.during centrifuging periods. The multiple-speed mechanism 28 may be ofany well understood construction and, since the specific form of speedchanging mechanism which may be employed forms no part of the presentinvention, it has not been shown in detail. However, a suitabletwo-speed mechanism of the type shown at 28 is disclosed and claimed inthe patent to H. E. Edwards, No. 2,284,047, dated May 26, 1942.

Washing water is admitted to the tub II! from a suitable source througha conduit 35 which terers t and the ring 5|.

tub Hi. The springs 56 function to center the ring 5| relative the tuband, in conjunction with the springs '55, provide a resilient supportfor the ring 5| such that the ring 5| isfree to vibrate in alldirections in a plane normal to the axis of the basket. The mass of thering 5| and the constant of the spring support provided by the springs55 and 56 are such that the natural frequency of vibration of the ring5| relative the structure 40 is considerably higher than the natningspeed and the damper is, therefore, effective to resist the lowamplitude, high frequency vibrations of the suspended tub structure atthis time.

During deceleration, the balancing system operates in the mannerdescribed. As the nautral period of the ring 5| is above the naturalperiod of the tub ID, the balancing ring 5| will vibrate inits properphase with the tub as the speed of the basket decelerates, through itscritical speed.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar tothe-embodiment described heretofore, except that a different arrangementof the damper mechanism is disclosed. Similar reference numerals areemployed ural frequency of vibration of the structure 40 on itssupporting springs. For example, the natural period of the unitarystructure 40 may be of the order of 115 cycles per minute and thenatural period of the ring 5| of the order of 200 cycles per minute.

During washing periods, the structure 40 is subject to low frequencyvibration which may be'Of high amplitude. The forces exciting thesevibrations vary, depending upon the character of the load, so that thevibrations may be erratic, resulting in bouncing or wobbling of thestructure 80. Theselow frequency vibrations are resisted by the mass ofthe ring 5| and are damped to some extent by the friction between thewashlittle movement between these members at this low speed operation,so that the effectiveness of the ring 5| in restricting vibrationsresides in its mass. In other words, at this time the ring 5| functionsas an inertia stabilizer in about the same manner that it would ifrigidly secured to the tub.

As the basket is accelerated, the vibrations of the structure 40increase in frequency progressively. These vibrations are excited by thecentrifugal action of an unbalanced load in the basket and causeprocessing of the axis of the basmeans of the springs55 and 56 and thedamping action afforded by the washers 54, resists or damps tubvibrations. I

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that large amplitudevibrations at the critical speed of the basket are prevented by theheavy ring 5| which vibrates in such phase with the tub I0 that itsforce is opposed to the force produced by the unbalanced load. Thebalancing force provided by the ring increases in magnitude duringacceleration of the basket and, as the critical speed is approached andpassed through, the friction damper defined by the washer 54 and ring 5|absorbs energy and prevents the amplitude of vibration from building up.When the balancer critical is reached, during the acceleration of thebasket, the motion of the ring relativethe-tub changes phase,-so that"the ring is substantially stationary at the maximum spin- However,there is very.

for parts which are common to both embodiments. The damper mechanismshown in Figs. 4 and 5 includes damper blocks 64 (three in number) whichare resiliently supported from the tub structure l0 by respectivecantilever springs 65, secured at one end to the damper blocks 64 and attheir other ends to the tub. The damper blocks 54 move in respectivearcuate recesses 66 formed on the interior of the ring 5|. The ring 5|is also suspended from the tub by tension springs 55, as described inconnection with the prior embodiment, except that three groups ofsprings 55 are shown instead of four groups as' in the prior embodiment.The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5,is substantiallyther description of the second embodiment of the invention is deemednecessary.

From the foregoing description, it will'be apparent that I have providedan improved cleanket. The damping action provided by the fricing andcentrifuging machine for treating fabrics or the like, wherein vibratoryforces caused by.

unbalanced loads are effectively resisted and damped so thatthe'alternating forces imparted to the foundation of the machine aremaintained at a low value. The improved resilient support and damperarrangement which I have devised provides for mechanical simplicity, lowcost. of production, and effective vibration control at critical speed.

While I have shown my invention applied to a cylinder type washing andspinning machine operable about a generally horizontal axis, it will beunderstood that it may be applied equally well to vertical axis or othertypes of cleaning apparatus actuated at two speeds for the cleaning andcentrifuging of the fabrics being treated,

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious tothose'skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but i susceptible ofvarious other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appendedclaims.

'What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of a container for a body of cleaning fluidand the fabrics to be treated, driving means for agitating the fabricsin the body of cleaning fluid at relatively low frequency for cleaningthe fabrics and for rotating the fabrics in the container at relativelyhigh frequency, in the absence of said body of fluid, for centrifugallyextracting fluid from the fabrics, means for resiliently sup- 1 Portingthe container and said 'driving means as a unitary structure, abalancing mass and means centrifuging cleaning for resiliently carryingsaid balancing mass upon the unitary structure.

2. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of a container for the cleaning fluid, aperforate basket arranged within the container for containing thefabrics to be treated, means disposed within the basket for agitatingthe fabrics during cleaning periods, means for driving said; agitatingmeans and said basket and adjustable for low and high speed operation,means for resiliently supporting the container, basket and driving meansas a unitary structure, a balancin mass, means for resilientlysupporting the balancing mass upon said unitary structure, and means fordamping vibratory movements of the balancing mass relative the unitarystructure."

3. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of a container for a body of cleaning fluidand the fabrics to be treated, means for agitating the fabrics in thefluid at relatively low frequency for cleaning the fabrics and forrotating the fabrics in the container at relatively high frequency, inthe absence of said body of fluid, for centrifugally extracting fluidfrom the fabrics, means for resiliently supporting the container, abalancing mass, and means for resiliently carrying said mass upon saidcontainer; the natural frequency of vibration of the container asdetermined by the first-mentioned resilient supporting means being lessthan the natural frequency of vibration of said mass relative thecontainer as determined by the second-mentioned resilient supportingmeans.

i. The combination as claimed in claim 3 including means interposedbetween said mass and, said container for damping vibratory movements ofthe mass relative the container.

5. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for fluid therefrom, thecombination of a container for a body of cleaning fluid and the fabricsto be treated, means for agitating the fabrics in the fluid atrelatively low frequency for cleaning the fabrics and for rotating thefabrics in the container at relatively high frequency, in the absence ofsaid body of fluid,

for centrifugally extracting fluid from the fabrics, means forresiliently supporting the container, a balancing mass, and means forresiliently carrying said mass upon said container; the naturalfrequency of vibration of the container as determined by thefirst-mentioned resilient supporting means being less than the naturalfrequency of vibration of said mass relative the container as determinedby the second-mentioned resilient supporting means, and saidsecond-mentioned natural frequency being intermediate said relativelylow frequency at which the fabrics are agitated and said relatively highfrequency at which the fabrics are rotated.

6. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, thecombination of a cointainer for a body of cleaning fluid,a basket disposed within the container and rotatable about a generallyhorizontal axis, means carried by the container for rotating the basketat relatively low speed during cleaning periods and'at relatively highspeed for centrifuging cleaning fluid from the fabrics, said conytainer,basket and rotating means defining a unitary structure, mean forresiliently supportmass upon the unitary structure.

ing the unitary structure, a balancing mass, and means for resilientlysupporting th balancing of the balancing mass relative said unitarystructure.

8. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifugally extractingcleaning fluid therefrom, the combination of a tub for containing a bodyof cleaning fluid, a perforate basket arranged within the tub forcontaining the fabrics to be treated, said basket being rotatable abouta generally horizontal axis, means carried by the tub for rotating thebasket at relatively low speed for agitating the fabrics in the body ofcleaning fluid and for rotating the basket at relatively high speed, inthe absence of the body of cleaning fluid, for centrifuging fluid fromthe fabrics, means for resiliently supporting the tub, basket androtating means as a unitary structure, a relatively heavy ring defininga balancing mass encompassing the tub, and means for resilientlysupporting said ring from the unitary structure.

9. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifugally extractingcleaning fluid therefrom, the combination of a tub structure forcontaining a body of cleaning fluid, a perforate basket for containingthe fabrics to be treated and rotatable within the tub structure about agenerally horizontal axis, means carried by the tub structure forrotating the basket at relatively low speed for cleaning the fabric andat relatively high speed for centrifugally extracting fluid from thefabrics, means for resiliently supporting the tub, basket and rotatingmeans as a unitary structure, a relatively heavy balancing ring, andmeans for resiliently supporting the balancing ring. upon said unitarystructure, said balancing ring being arranged in a plane normal to theaxis of rotation of the basket and intersecting a portion of the basket.a

10. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaningfluid therefrom, the combination of a tub structure, a perforate basketarranged within the tub structure for containing the fabrics to betreated and rotatabl about a generally horizontal axis, said baskethaving a side wall substantiallycircular in cross section and having aportion intermediate the ends thereof relatively large in diameter,means carried by the tub structure for rotating the basket at relativelylow speed for cleaning the fabrics and at relatively high speed forspinning fluid therefrom, said tub, basket and driving means defining aunitary structure, means for resiliently supporting the unitarystructure, a relatively heavy ring encompassing the tub structure anddisposed in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the basket andadjacent the portion of the basket means for resiliently supporting saidring upon the tub structure.

11. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for extracting cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of the tub for containing cleaning fluid, arotatable perforate basket disposed within the tub, said tub and basketeach having end portions connected by a side wall which is substantiallycircular in cross section and said tub and basket each having anintermediate portion of large diameter, the circumferential side wallsofthe tub and basket diverging from the end walls to said intermediateportion of large diameter, said basket having its axis of rotation sodisposed at an acute angle from the vertical that said intermediateportion of larg diameter of the tub and basket are of maximum diameter,and

disposed upwardly. with respect to the respective smaller end portions,means for rotating the basket in a single direction at relatively lowspeed for agitating the fabrics therein during cleaning periods andsubsequently at relatively high speed for extracting fluid from thefabrics, means for resiliently supporting the tub, basket and rotatingmeans as a unitary structure, ing the tub adjacent th portion thereof ofmaximum diameter and means for resiliently supporting the balancing ringupon the unitary structure.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the natural frequencyof vibration of the unitary structure is less than the' naturalfrequency of vibration of the ring relative the unitary structure.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 11 including means for dampingvibratory movements of the balancing ring relative the unitarystructure.

14. Inapparatus for cleaning fabrics and for a balancing ring encompass-15. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and'for centrifuging cleaningfluid therefrom, the combination of a container for a body of cleaningcentrifuging cleaning fluid therefrom, the combination of a tubstructure, a perforate basket arranged within the tub structure forcontaining the fabrics to be treated and rotatable about a generallyhorizontal axis, said basket having a side wall substantially circularin cross section and having a portion" intermediate th ends thereofrelatively large in diameter, means carried by the tub structure forrotating the basket at relatively low speed for cleaning the fabrics andat relatively high speed for spinning fluid therefrom, said tub, basketand driving means defining a unitary structure, means for resilientlysupporting the unitary structure, a relatively heavy ring encompassingthe tub structure and disposed in a plane normal to the axis of rotationof the basket and adjacent the portion of the basket of maximumdiameter, said ring having a plurality of elongated slotscircumferentially spaced therein, a plurality of radiallyfluid and thefabrics to be treated, driving means for agitating the fabrics in thebody of cleaning fluid at relatively low frequency for cleaning thefabrics and for rotating the fabrics in the container at relatively highfrequency, in the absence of the body of cleaning fluid, forcentrifugally extracting fluid from the fabrics, means for resilientlysupporting the container, a balancing mass. and means for resilientlysupporting the balancing mass upon said container.

16. In apparatus for cleaningfabrics and for centrifuging cleaning fluidtherefrom, the combination of a container for a body of cleaning fluid,-a basket disposed within the container and rotatable about a generallyhorizontal axis, means carried by the container for rotating the basketat relatively low speed during cleaning periods and at relatively highspeed for centrifuging cleaning fluid from the fabrics, said container,basket and rotating means defining a unitary structure, means forresiliently supporting the unitary structure, a balancing ringencompassing said container and having a plurality ofcircumferentially-spaced recesses formed therein, means including aplurality of springs for resiliently supporting said ring from theunitary structure, a plurality of friction dampers arranged within saidrecesses and engaging said ring, and resilient means for supporting saidfriction dampers from the unitary structure.

' C. BRUCKMAN.

respectively, into said

